Chapter 10

The meeting concluded, and Qin Jun stepped out of the Lanqing Palace for a stroll.

She had declined Long Langbai's enthusiastic offer to act as her guide, preferring to explore the Demon Palace on her own.

The Demon Realm was vast, nearly comparable to the outside world, yet it contained very little land suitable for habitation. Eighteen different organizations were crammed together, leading to constant friction. There were frequent occurrences like the Slaughter Saint Sect sneaking in to steal ores, or the skirmishes that broke out every other day.

Qin Jun climbed a small path behind the Demon Palace, soon reaching a platform on Canglang Mountain. From this vantage point, one could survey the entirety of Dragon-Head Plain, and it was often used as a lookout during critical times.

Below her lay the Demon Palace. Behind Canglang Mountain stretched the Demon Abyss, a place loathed by the rest of the world. The Mingcang River cut through the mountain, wound past the palace complex, and flowed southeast, traversing swamps before reaching the sects downstream. Where the river made its third bend, the Ten Yama Halls were situated, and three hundred miles further south lay the Slaughter Saint Sect.

Originally, the Ten Yama Halls were located even further downstream, but over the years, they had encroached upon the palace's territory, even seizing the Demon Palace’s ferry dock under the guise of "maintenance."

Qin Jun pondered; it was time to collect rent.

Looking toward the west, the distant horizon was wreathed in crimson smoke, with rumbling thunder echoing through the clouds. The tremors caused by surging demonic energy extended all the way to the palace, a thousand miles from the center of the Demon Abyss. The Abyss was not merely a deep gorge, but a towering mountain range; demonic energy erupted from its peaks and fissures, and rocks imbued with demonic fire rained down, turning the world into a purgatory.

In such a vast Demon Realm, the Demon Abyss left only this small patch of land habitable. Aside from the protection of Canglang Mountain at its back, the Demon Palace was surrounded on three sides by other factions. If they were to attack, the only option would be to retreat into the mountains for guerrilla warfare, all while facing the constant risk of running out of supplies.

"This won't do," Qin Jun thought.

She stood on the platform, eyes scanning the horizon, taking in the rolling mountains that defined the edge of the Demon Realm, the lingering demonic mist, and the ceaseless flow of the Mingcang River.

The Mingcang River was the only source of drinkable water in the entire realm, yet even then, drinking it without spiritual purification would burn a person's intestines to ash.

Qin Jun squinted, following the river’s path until her gaze settled on the second bend. From there, the vast, surging waters split into two paths: one leading to the Ten Yama Halls, the other to the Slaughter Saint Sect.

What an ideal place for a dam.

Once a dam was constructed, the water flow would slow, causing sediment to settle and forming vast, fertile plains. Not only that, but it would allow them to control the water supply downstream, forcing the others to pay for it.

What did it matter if the ledgers were in the red? The Mingcang River was the only potable water source for the entire human population in the Demon Realm. Holding the resources in one's hands was a guaranteed, profitable venture.

Of course, a spillway needed to be built where the river exited the mountains. This would not only create an alluvial plain for the Demon Palace to cultivate, enriching the soil, but also allow them to control the water flowing from the mountains, facilitating the transport of ores via the waterway.

Standing there, Qin Jun could almost hear the sound of silver and spirit stones flowing into her coffers.

It would be best to make those other sects pay for the construction. Since the Demon Palace had been downstream, enduring the risks of floods and demonic corruption for so many years, why not demand some compensation? Besides, it was a virtuous deed that would benefit generations to come.

"I really am a kind person," Qin Jun mused.

"How do you intend to proceed?"

The voice of Grandmother Longxin sounded out of thin air.

Qin Jun had anticipated her arrival; she was in seclusion on Canglang Mountain. With Grandmother Longxin’s cultivation, sensing her movements was trivial.

Qin Jun raised her hand, pointing ahead and then toward the valley behind.

"I plan to build two dams, one at the second bend and another in the middle of the valley. This will control the water, allow the demonic crystal ores from the mountains to be transported by water, regulate the water levels in the palace’s territory, and nourish the soil on both banks. I will also carve out several tributaries from the main river to facilitate water storage."

It was a plan that completely disregarded what the downstream sects would do without water.

Grandmother Longxin: "..." How did the paragon of the righteous sects turn out even more ruthless than the people of the Demon Palace?

"What does Grandmother Longxin think?" Qin Jun asked.

Grandmother Longxin was silent for a moment. "It may cause harm to others and..."

Qin Jun smiled faintly and continued, "In this way, the flood issues of the Mingcang River will be solved, the shortage of resources in the Demon Palace will be resolved, and the difficulty of transporting ores from the mountains will be addressed. It is a multi-purpose solution that benefits the people of the Demon Palace."

She had completely ignored Grandmother Longxin’s words.

Grandmother Longxin: ...So why did you ask for my opinion?

"Oh, one more thing."

Grandmother Longxin looked up. "What is it?" She was already beginning to reflect on whether she had chosen the right successor for the Demon Palace. If the palace ended up surrounded by enemies on all sides, she would be lucky if they didn't all scream for her head.

"The Demon Palace has many members, but they are all crowded in one place. There is redundant staffing and low efficiency; we need to redistribute them to improve productivity. Also, I intend to reclaim the territory belonging to the Demon Palace."

"And?" If it was just these matters, there was no need to consult her, the former Palace Master.

Qin Jun wore a shy smile, which made Grandmother Longxin feel a chill run down her spine.

Qin Jun: "I need to provide the members with a place to put their new roles to use."

Grandmother Longxin blinked, finally realizing this meant she intended to reclaim the ferry dock from the Ten Yama Halls and rebuild it.

"You are the Palace Master now; why do you need to ask an old woman like me for her opinion?" Although she said this, Grandmother Longxin was secretly pleased that Qin Jun had thought to consult her. It at least proved she hadn't been forgotten, and that after she was gone, someone would still remember that she had once been the Palace Master of the Demon Palace.

Qin Jun remained silent, a hint of shyness rippling through her stagnant gaze as she looked at Grandmother Longxin with feigned timidity.

Grandmother Longxin: "What... what do you need?"

"I need your support, Grandmother."

Grandmother Longxin belatedly realized this meant support in hard cash.

"Fine, fine, no problem." Her own grandson was a foul-tempered, arrogant brat; how was it that this girl in front of her looked so obedient and lovely?

Each "Grandmother" she called made her heart melt.

Qin Jun held out her hand.

Grandmother Longxin: "...Forget it, take it all."

A cyan jade talisman landed in Qin Jun's palm.

Grandmother Longxin said, "Qin Jun, my time is limited. The future of the Demon Palace is in your hands."

"Do I look like I'm worth trusting?"

Grandmother Longxin shook her head.

Qin Jun: "..."

System: "Pfft."

Qin Jun: "...Shut up."

The system went silent again.

Grandmother Longxin looked up at the ceaseless flow of the Mingcang River. "It is precisely because you are not someone who follows the rules that you might be able to achieve what I could not."

"It has been five hundred years. The unchanging rules have lasted for five hundred years; it is time for them to change."

"I know you," Grandmother Longxin laughed. "When you were taken to the Lingxiao Sect by that boy Su Yuan, you were still an infant in swaddling clothes, covered in lightning. Anyone but Su Yuan who touched you would get a nasty shock. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, and you've grown so much. I never expected that after all this time, we would have this connection."

Qin Jun listened quietly, piecing together the past that the system had never mentioned.

The system was terrified, fearing that the past mentioned by Grandmother Longxin would trigger something Qin Jun shouldn't remember.

System: "Does the host remember the plot?"

Qin Jun did not respond, so the system pressed, "Does the host remember the plot in the mission book?"

Qin Jun countered, "Are you very afraid that I might remember?"

The system was acting abnormally.

The system went quiet instantly, only offering a dry explanation after a long while: "...If the host remembers, it will be easier to complete the missions."

It wasn't that it hoped she would remember; the system didn't want Qin Jun to recall the experiences of this body at all. She hadn't transmigrated into this body of the same name halfway through—it had been her all along, and the system had simply wiped her previous memories.

"Have you heard the poem? 'Swallow a golden elixir into the abdomen, my fate is determined by me, not by Heaven.'"

Qin Jun snapped back to reality, her lashes drooping, concealing all her expressions. "I have heard it."

Qin Jun thought, sooner or later, she would deal with this system that kept secrets from her.

Grandmother Longxin raised her hand, pointing to the members busy transporting demonic crystal ores nearby. "Can you tell who among them has spiritual roots and who does not?"

Qin Jun shook her head.

"It was never a matter of difference!" Grandmother Longxin’s tone suddenly became intense. "It was forced into this state by a group of greedy, petty old fools! It shames the ancestors!"

Qin Jun blinked; she hadn't expected the old lady to have such a passionate side.

"...Forgive me, I lost my composure." Grandmother Longxin sighed deeply. "This cyan jade talisman is the seal to my private treasury. It contains my life’s savings from the past five hundred years. It isn't much, but there are still some useful things in it. From now on, the Demon Palace belongs to you young people. As for an old thing like me, it is time for me and the past to fade away..."

As her voice faded, Grandmother Longxin's figure dissipated like a wisp of cyan smoke.

With spirit but no form, capable of infinite transformation—Grandmother Longxin was likely more than an Eight-Crossing cultivator; she might have already reached the Ninth-Crossing stage.

A Ninth-Crossing cultivator was only a step away from achieving the ultimate state of perfection. Their lifespan was long; even if they weren't immortal, they were monsters who could live for thousands of years. To push a Ninth-Crossing cultivator to such a state—

Qin Jun didn't bother dwelling on it. Her current top priority was making money.

The system's promise to pay off her mortgage was a distant dream, but the opportunity to earn herself a grand mansion was within reach. Being in the Demon Palace with so many top-tier, ready-made laborers, it would be a shame not to make good use of them.

Qin Jun tossed the jade talisman in her hand, her steps noticeably lighter as she headed toward the palace’s storehouse to see what kind of wealthy mogul she was about to become.

She was fully prepared to seize this windfall.

On the way back, passing the residence of Hall Master Yanyue, Qin Jun decided to take a detour to visit her.

Yanyue was an incredibly beautiful woman with exquisite taste, and her dwelling was just as eye-catching as she was.

The structure was a mix of gold and emerald, resembling a creation of gold and jade. The enchanting woman was reclining on a chaise lounge, reading a booklet intently.

Hearing the servant's report, she hurriedly rose from the lounge, saying softly, "This humble one greets the Palace Master. I wonder what brings the Palace Master here at this hour?"

Yanyue’s heart raced. The meeting had only just ended; why would the Palace Master come knocking now? Was there a problem with her report? Or had her subordinates caused trouble again?

Yanyue ran through every possibility in her mind, but still couldn't find a clue. Anxiously, she took the teapot from a servant and personally poured a cup of tea for Qin Jun.

Qin Jun sat down, her expression unreadable.

"Palace Master, this is some tea I had someone bring from outside a few days ago. Please, have a taste."

Qin Jun looked down. The white porcelain cup held a clear tea broth, which looked several tiers higher than the stale tea that had been sitting in the Lanqing Palace for who knew how long.

She took a sip; the flavor lingered on her lips with a long aftertaste.

"Not bad," she said. It would be even better if she could add some sugar and milk.

Yanyue sat tentatively by her side and poured more tea. "If the Palace Master likes it, I can have some sent over another day."

Qin Jun nodded: "Three days from now. I am a bit busy these next two days."

Yanyue: "..."

No, she was just being polite. Why didn't the Palace Master show any courtesy, even setting a date?

But since the words were out, she couldn't take them back. "...Yes, I will have it sent to you then."

"I almost forgot the main point," Qin Jun said.

...She had almost thought the main point was coming to rob her of her tea.

Yanyue steadied her mind. "What is it?"

Qin Jun: "As I mentioned in the meeting this morning, we need to optimize the team structure and submit training course plans. Does Hall Master Yanyue have any ideas?"

The smile on Yanyue's face froze. She hadn't expected Qin Jun to follow up so quickly. "...I am currently organizing the roster of the hall members, preparing to rank them as you instructed. As for the 'optimization' and the training courses... I haven't quite figured it out yet."

"Oh, that's fine." Qin Jun didn't care. She hadn't expected any results anyway. "First, help me check all available resources within the Demon Palace territory, including earth, timber, and stone. Draft a list for me. Also, shut down all mines with a monthly output of less than ten thousand catties, consolidate the manpower, and wait for my further arrangements."

"You have always been in charge of the palace accounts. Take some time these next two days to help Long Langbai clear up the ledgers, and give me the balance sheet along with the building materials list before the employee training conference."

"And one more thing—"

Wh-why was there more?

Yanyue felt her brain couldn't keep up. With only three days, how much work was she planning to give her?

Qin Jun continued: "You and Hall Master Pei are responsible for the new employee orientation. In addition to your respective course content, you must compile an overall training plan for the conference. The content should include recognition of Demon Palace culture, the Code of Order, the structure of the palace's industries, and the sharing of mining techniques. Make sure every newcomer receives a spiritual baptism at the conference, adopts the Demon Palace philosophy, and becomes a member of our great family."

Qin Jun left after speaking, and on her way out, she swiped the canister of tea leaves Yanyue had left on the small table.

The tea at the Lanqing Palace was too terrible to drink. Fortunately, her employees were thoughtful enough to care for their leader. Indeed, one must have charisma to be beloved by subordinates; otherwise, she wouldn't even have tea to drink.

System: "Where is the host going next?"

Qin Jun: "Just looking around."

...

This "looking around" led her to the Demon Palace's storehouse.

Qin Jun used the Palace Master's token to open the doors.

"..."

"What a clean, empty expanse."

"Optimization is indeed imperative. I truly am a wise and brilliant person."

"Why are you shocking me with electricity when you're bored!"

System: ...I think you're becoming quite easy to hate.